Wednesday, March 27, 2013Juco 100 OT Calhoun still open
By Damon Sayles

With five days remaining in the regular signing period, ESPN Junior College 100 offensive tackle Aleon Calhoun (Navasota, Texas/Navarro College) has some quick decisions to make.

The 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive tackle remains unsigned and also is in the process of taking classes to up his grade-point average. Calhoun had close to 20 offers before Feb. 6, the first day of the signing period. He said schools such as Syracuse, South Florida and FCS power Sam Houston State have remained in contact with him.

Calhoun, however, said that one school has caught his attention, and the three-star tackle hopes to be a last-minute addition.

“I wanted to go to Texas A&M,” Calhoun said, “but I haven’t talked to them in like two weeks. It’s still a possibility. Right now, it’s hectic. I’m not for sure where I’m going. I know where I’d like to end up, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to see who wants me and go there.”

Calhoun said the overall atmosphere of Texas A&M intrigues him. With him playing high school ball in Navasota, the drive to College Station would only be a 20-minute commute. Texas A&M offered during the 2012 season, and it has two scholarships remaining in its signing class available if it chooses to forward him a national letter of intent. The Aggies signed 23 in February -- not counting the eight early enrollees that are backdated to count against the 2012 class.

“I’ve been going to A&M games back when Coach [Mike] Sherman was coaching,” Calhoun said. “There’s something about the fans there. You could be losing by 100 points, but that fanbase will always be crazy. Now that they’ve got a coach like [Kevin] Sumlin, I don’t know too many players who don’t want to be a part of that.”

Monday is the last day to sign, and Calhoun said he's looking to make a decision very soon, possibly by Thursday. While a decision is a priority for Calhoun, he said his main focus is still on his classes. Calhoun currently is at Blinn College -- closer to his home -- taking four classes.

Athletically, Calhoun was a second-team all-Southwest Junior College Football Conference lineman who helped Navarro finish No. 4 in the final NJCAA poll. Calhoun is ranked No. 75 in the ESPN Junior College 100.